Curtin University has announced respected mining executive Sabina Shugg as the new Director of its Western Australian School of Mines in Kalgoorlie.
A WA School of Mines graduate, Goldfields-born Ms Shugg has forged a successful career as a mining executive and has served in senior roles at some of Australia’s largest resource and consulting organisations.
Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry welcomed Ms Shugg to Curtin and congratulated her on the appointment.
“Ms Shugg returns to the WA School of Mines during an exciting new era for the School as it adapts the curriculum to facilitate emerging areas such as robotics, data analytics and additive manufacturing in order to meet the future needs of industry and students,” Professor Terry said.
“Following her graduation from the WA School of Mines, Ms Shugg has forged a successful career as a mining executive with considerable and diverse experience in the industry and a strong reputation in the field, making her perfectly positioned to take on this important role.
“As a passionate advocate for the sector, Ms Shugg will also support Curtin’s continued efforts to promote the profile of the mining industry to the next generation of mining workers, with a particular focus on female school students to encourage greater gender equality across the industry. Ms Shugg’s commitment to this cause included her role as Founder and Chair of Women in Mining and Resources WA, for which she was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in 2015.”
Ms Shugg said she was thrilled to be taking on the new role, a major focus of which would be ensuring the School’s new curriculum enables students to transition from the classroom to a rewarding job in the mining industry.
“In developing the new curriculum, I look forward to ensuring students are properly equipped to embrace the technological advances currently transforming the sector,” Ms Shugg said.
Curtin University’s Kalgoorlie Campus Council Chair Mr Steve Scudamore welcomed Ms Shugg’s return to WASM as the new Director.
“Ms Shugg will bring a strong technical background, established industry links and a passion for the Kalgoorlie region to the role and I am delighted to welcome her return as a successful graduate of the WA School of Mines,” Mr Scudamore said.
WA School of Mines Alumni President Raleigh Finlayson said Ms Shugg’s vast network of contacts within the industry and broader community would help her to excel in the new role.
“Ms Shugg is well positioned to work with industry representatives to draw on their expertise to ensure the graduates will continue to meet the needs of their future employees,” Mr Finlayson said.
Most recently in the role of Director of the newly formed Kalgoorlie-Boulder Mining Innovation Hub, Ms Shugg will replace the outgoing well-respected Director, Professor Sam Spearing, when she commences in the new role.
